So I've been reading up on some doggy history and it looks like many breeds that became popular disappeared from the hunting arena because they weren't being bred for that anymore. Like the poodle for example.

Because the lab is so popular and is bred so much for looks instead of health and hunting ability do you guys see this as a future for this breed? I don't see this happening anytime soon, but there seems to be a connection between popularity and a loss of hunting instincts.

Sometimes I think...'Do I really want a beer?'Then I remember there's a supervolcano under Yellowstone that is 40,000 years overdue, and when it erupts, it could potentially cover most of North America... and I'm like,F YEAH I WANT A BEER!~Gunny

Back in the day I don't think breeding was what it is today. As long as people are willing to pay top dollar. Good dogs will be out there. I just think you will have to weed through more and more backyard litters and show lines.

I feel like hunting lines will continue to get better and better and show lines will continue to get fatter and fatter and eventually stray so far away from what a lab looks like that they will be shown under a different name.

That said, I don't like the proliferation of breeding designer traits such as "silver" or "fox red" labs.

Yeah because we all know fox reds won't hunt.

Didn't say that-- there are mutts from the pound that will hunt. Most "red" and "silvers" are bred primarily for their coat color and secondarily (if at all) for their abilities. You don't have that problem with say, a black lab.

Just as the show ring has ruined other breeds where they are bred solely for looks.

I don't see it with the labs either. As long as there is such a big group of hunters and breeders looking out for the breed, it will be alright. Buyers already have to beware of hunting and show lines, but it is not hard to find quality dogs anywhere in the US.

Jarbo03 wrote:I don't see it with the labs either. As long as there is such a big group of hunters and breeders looking out for the breed, it will be alright. Buyers already have to beware of hunting and show lines, but it is not hard to find quality dogs anywhere in the US.

This

My guess is the majority of labs people on this forum own are good labs from hunting lines.

That said, I don't like the proliferation of breeding designer traits such as "silver" or "fox red" labs.

Yeah because we all know fox reds won't hunt.

Didn't say that-- there are mutts from the pound that will hunt. Most "red" and "silvers" are bred primarily for their coat color and secondarily (if at all) for their abilities. You don't have that problem with say, a black lab.

Just as the show ring has ruined other breeds where they are bred solely for looks.

MNGunner,A fox red is simply a color phase of the yellow Lbrador, much like there are various color phases of chocolate Labs ranging from a liver color to very dark brown, still Labs and not really so called "designer Labs" like the so called silver which is likely to be a mix of Lab and Weimaraner (NOT a purebred Labrador).

Fox reds from good Labrador field bloodlines can make very capable gundogs.

The Labrador Retriever absolutely dominates the field in retrieving competition and testing designed to evaluate function.And that's what it has been, and continues to be, bred to do for every generation since they were imported to England as St. John's Dogs from Newfoundland.

It doesn't matter what happens to the conformation, designer color, or pet lines. The lines of performance bred Labs will still be just as fit for function as ever.

Because, it's function not form, that Field Labs are selected for. Form naturally follows function.

No amount of laboratory testing, or X-ray examination can hold a candle to what is demanded mentally and physically during the career of a high level working retriever.

That said, I don't like the proliferation of breeding designer traits such as "silver" or "fox red" labs.

Yeah because we all know fox reds won't hunt.

Didn't say that-- there are mutts from the pound that will hunt. Most "red" and "silvers" are bred primarily for their coat color and secondarily (if at all) for their abilities. You don't have that problem with say, a black lab.

Just as the show ring has ruined other breeds where they are bred solely for looks.

Maybe you should look at the hunting lines and pedigrees of some fox reds before talking out of your a@@.

Only number that matters, retrieves by the pup: 195Cooper: 15Proud owner of 2 non hunt trial/field trial fire breathers

uglymug wrote:...it looks like many breeds that became popular disappeared from the hunting arena because they weren't being bred for that anymore.

You've answered your own question. Breeds don't quit hunting because they become popular for other purposes with the general public. They only quit being hunting breeds if they lose popularity with hunters. Labs are the very best example of this: never been a breed more popular with folks who don't hunt or more Labs with little hunting aptitude, yet because they're also enormously popular with folks who do hunt, it's never been easier to find good hunting stock.

Jarbo03 wrote:I don't see it with the labs either. As long as there is such a big group of hunters and breeders looking out for the breed, it will be alright. Buyers already have to beware of hunting and show lines, but it is not hard to find quality dogs anywhere in the US.

This

My guess is the majority of labs people on this forum own are good labs from hunting lines.

Its been very cold here and her owner has not had her out to swim etc in a while. Remember she has lived outside her entire life and has a very thick coat right now. It serves her well as we will be hitting -0 this weekend.

I will get her back in shape when we get closer to freezing. It won't take much as the engine is still running. Its the owner with the lazy problem. I just don't care to get out much when its really cold like this.

TomKat wrote:L&L how do you exercise your dog when it gets below freezing on a regular basis after hunting season?

You just do retrieving drills on land. Get you running shoes on and some clothes. It would be good for dog and man. Plenty of good options. Water is not the only exercise for a dog. I'd say most lab owners don't live right next to a pond. They find other ways to get it done.

TomKat wrote:L&L how do you exercise your dog when it gets below freezing on a regular basis after hunting season?

You just do retrieving drills on land. Get you running shoes on and some clothes. It would be good for dog and man. Plenty of good options. Water is not the only exercise for a dog. I'd say most lab owners don't live right next to a pond. They find other ways to get it done.